Watch the dramatic and unexpected Max Verstappen Kimi Antonelli crash on the very first lap at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix.
The incident which unfolded at Turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring left the four-time world champion fuming after suffering his first retirement in the 2025 F1 season, putting his title bid in serious doubt.
Max Verstappen starting from seventh on the grid after a disrupted qualifying session was looking to make up ground at his home team’s circuit.
The Dutchman had shown promising pace during practice sessions, but a yellow flag caused by Pierre Gasly in qualifying prevented him from improving his lap time, relegating him to a mid-pack start.
Just two positions behind Verstappen was the highly touted 18-year-old Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli who was eager to make his mark in his debut season.
As the lights went out, the field surged up the hill towards the tight right-hander at Turn 3 and in the frenetic jostling for position Antonelli found himself boxed in behind several cars.
Attempting to brake hard to avoid a collision with the car ahead, Antonelli locked his rear brakes, causing his Mercedes to veer uncontrollably towards the inside line.
In a desperate bid to avoid another car, Antonelli released the brakes momentarily but this only reduced his grip further on the dusty inside line. The result was inevitable: Antonelli’s car slammed into the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull, instantly ending the race for both drivers.
The crash brought out the safety car and sent shockwaves through the paddock. For Red Bull, it was a disastrous home race, compounded by a last-place finish for teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Austrian GP 2025 highlights: Norris battles Piastri to win, Antonelli Verstappen crash
F1 Austrian Grand Prix 2025 Race Results
Antonelli apologises to Verstappen
In the immediate aftermath, Antonelli was visibly shaken. The Italian issued a heartfelt apology to Verstappen both in person and over the team radio, taking full responsibility for the incident.
“I didn’t necessarily brake too late, it’s just that when I braked, I braked hard because I was behind other cars, and in that moment, I locked the rears,” Antonelli told Sky Sports F1.
“Then I just couldn’t stop the car. I locked the rear and then lost the car and then had to avoid (Liam) Lawson. Then it was too late because I was arriving just too quick.
“I started to lock the front and instead of decelerating, I was accelerating. The car was just taking speed, and the crash was inevitable.
“Just feel super sorry to the team, and to Max of course, because obviously he was just a passenger.”
For Verstappen, the crash represents a significant blow in the context of the championship race. The Dutchman has been locked in a fierce battle with rivals from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes throughout the 2025 F1 season.
With Lando Norris taking victory at the Austrian Grand Prix—his third of the season—the loss of points for Verstappen leaves him 61 points adrift in the standings as the season approaches its halfway mark.
